Judges 21: Final Warnings from the Book of Judges Against Relative Morality

Introduction: Judges chapter 21 concludes both the book of Judges and the story of the brutal gang rape and alleged murder of a Levite’s concubine by members of the Benjamite tribe. The Levite incited the entire nation to civil war against the Benjamites by cutting up her corpse into 12 pieces and sending the pieces throughout the 12 tribes. In response to his misleading testimony, the tribes then killed all of the women, children and most of the Benjamite men. The once mighty tribe of Benjamin was reduced to a mere 600 men, who were trapped at a rock and facing extinction. Like the rest of the book, this chapter addresses the flawed morality of the time where everyone did what they felt was right in their own eyes. As a result, they all did evil. None was righteous before God. As the Jews came to realize their mistakes, they made even greater mistakes as they tried to solve the problems they created without God. From this last chapter, God reveals seven final lessons on the dangers of living according to your own morality.

First, the Jews made a foolish vow at Mizpah never to allow for future marriages with the Benjamites. From this, He reveals that people who live by their own morality will make foolish decisions. Second, the Jews refused to take responsibility for their foolish vow when they realized that it would lead to the extinction of the Benjamite tribe. From this, He reveals that people who live by their own morality will refuse to repent of their sins. Third, the Jews made a separate oath to kill any tribe or clan that did not participate in their proceedings against Benjamin. From this, He reveals that those who live by their own morality will be ruled by their flesh and their emotions. Fourth, the Jews murdered their brethren at Jabesh-gilead to give the Benjamites wives. From this, He reveals that people who live by their own morality will respond to evil with more evil. Fifth, the Jews blamed God for their own foolish vows. From this, He reveals that people who live by their own morality will blame God for their own inevitable mistakes. Sixth, to address their prior mistakes, the Jews allowed the Benjamites to kidnap their own daughters. From this, He reveals that those who live by their own morality will create misery for their families. Finally, from the Jews’ failure to live by God’s fixed standard of morality, He reveals that those who live by their own morality will do whatever feels right in their own eyes.

1. People Will Make Foolish Vows and Decisions. Judges 21:1-2.

The Jews’ wept because of their actions1

2. People Will Refuse to Repent of Their Sins. Judges 21:3.

3. People Will Be Ruled By Their Flesh and Emotions. Judges 21:4-5.

4. People Will Respond to Evil with More Evil. Judges 21:6-12.

The Jews slaughter the people of Jabesh-gilead3

5. People Will Blame God for Their Own Evil Acts. Judges 21:13-15.

6. People Will Create Misery Within Their Own Families. Judges 21:16-24.

The surviving Benjamites abduct 400 surviving virgins from Jabesh-gilead4

7. People Will Do Whatever Feels Right in Their Own Eyes. Judges 21:25.